Tolerance

No, I'm not writing about how my massive intake of ouzo over the past three weeks is making it difficult for me to get tipsy. I have yet to try ouzo, actually. I'm referring to an essay we're discussing in my tenth grade (Alpha) English classes: "Tolerance," by E.M. Forster.

Tolerance is the ability to accept the existence of something while still disapproving of it. After WW2, Forster felt frustrated with the notion that the problems of the world would be solved if we could all just suck it up and love each other. All you need is not love, he argued, because love has no place in the public sphere. Love, in Forster's view, is a private emotion, experienced only between people who know each other well. How could you love a complete stranger? So Forster posed a simple alternative: tolerate each other. Even if you don't like people, put up with them.

The Alpha students were asked to write page-long journal responses to this text. I really like the Alpha kids: since they're new to the high school, they haven't developed much of that Beta (eleventh grade) sass. Although they're the youngest kids I work with, they're also the most enthusiastic, and in some cases the brightest. I quite like reading their journals - they often make sweeping claims, but often make really insightful comments, too.

I'm writing this to tell you a little bit about what we're covering in school, but also to introduce the concept of tolerance in Greece. Perhaps one of the easiest ways to define a "culture" is to examine what a group of people will and won't tolerate.

Things Greece tolerates (kala - okay, all right) :

1. PDA.
I heard recently that Athens is the second most PDA city on the planet, after Paris. The kids at school give each other quick kisses in the hall. Things get serious at recess.

2. Dog Shit.
No one picks up after their pooches here. It's all over the sidewalks.
Apparently, this weekend dog shit won't be the only thing covering the sidewalks: on Sunday morning, there is to be a shit in. That's right, protestors are going to gather together, drop trou, and further foul the Athenian streets.

3. Strikes.
Soon in our discussion of tolerance we will try and get the kids thinking about when it's okay not to tolerate. When must we stand up against what we know is wrong?

4. Strays.
They're everywhere. I love them, but they certainly don't help with tolerable thing #2, no pun intended.

5. Smoking in public places. 
It is estimated that over 40% of Greek adults smoke, well over the EU average of 29%. Earlier this month, a law was implemented banning smoking in enclosed public spaces such as restaurants, bars, hospitals, and motor vehicles.

In restaurants, bars, hospitals, and motor vehicles all over Athens, Greeks continue to light up as they please.

Things Greece does not tolerate (oxi- no):

1. Homosexuality.

I told the students a fun fact about E.M. Forster: he was gay!

This quite excited them. It was clear from their reactions that homosexuality wasn't something they considered commonplace. 

Homosexuality is becoming less and less taboo in Greece - Apparently, Athens has a thriving gay bar scene (and none of the bars have been burned down, to date). However, Greece is still not nearly as accepting of gays as other developed countries of Western Europe and North America. It's a little funny, considering how much same sex lovin went down in Ancient Greece.

2. Pedestrians.
In Athens, drivers have the right of way, and if you're not very careful, they will squash you.


3. Dinner before 9 pm.

4. Flushing TP down the toilet.

This makes taking the trash out doubly gross.

I realize the subjects I've touched upon here may paint Athens in an unflattering light, but p

lease don't get the wrong impression - I'm loving life in Greece so far.